Featured CollectionMerci Boxcars
France says "Thank You" to Americans
In February of 1949, a train of 49 French boxcars arrived by ship in New York harbor. Each wooden boxcar contained hundreds of gifts from French citizens, symbols of gratitude for the United States military and humanitarian efforts during and after World War II. One car was delivered to each American state, and many still exist in state capitals and museums.
n early 1949 there were thousands of World War 1 veterans and millions of WW2 veterans still living who had memories of spending as much as a week being transported to, or from, the battlefronts of the wars in that exact same type of boxcar. There were no seats, no windows, no toilets, and no sleeping or dining accommodations. Each man and his 39 traveling companions had barely enough space to sit down and they had to fit their bodies in rows to have enough room to lie down for sleep. Most of the veterans that survived the war had memories of those final rides and conversations with buddies, including some who were killed and never made it back to the U.S.A. Those surviving veterans decided to make the little gift boxcars memorials to the those lost buddies and the sacrifices that they made to save the world from the tyranny of Nazism. Thus it is that, for almost 75 years, they have volunteered to keep the little antique boxcars repaired and honorably displayed in an effort to memorialize all those who had given their all for the freedom of people everywhere in the world. We think that all of those heroes should continue to be honored by the continued preservation of these humble symbols of their sacrifices.
Earl Bennett Sr. / MerciTrain.org
Spencer, NC / Apr 2025 / RWH
Spencer, NC / Apr 2025 / RWH
he French “Merci Train,” also known as the “Gratitude Train,” was a heartfelt gesture of thanks from the people of France to the United States in 1949. Following World War II, in response to the American-led 1947 “Friendship Train” that had sent food and supplies to a devastated Europe, the French organized a reciprocal effort. Citizens across France contributed gifts — ranging from artwork and handmade items to personal mementos — to fill 49 boxcars, one for each U.S. state at the time (plus one shared by Washington, DC, and the then-territory of Hawaii). These wooden boxcars, known as “40 and 8s” for their World War I-era military designation of carrying 40 men or 8 horses, were shipped aboard the freighter Magellan and arrived in New York Harbor in February 1949. The Merci Train symbolized Franco-American friendship and postwar solidarity, and most of the boxcars and their contents are still preserved in museums and memorials across the United States today.
All time Merci Boxcar location roster
| State | City | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Huntsville | U. S. Veterans Memorial Museum | museum |
| Arizona | Scottsdale | McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park | display |
| Arkansas | Helena | American Legion Post 41 | display |
| California | Fresno | American Legion Post 509 | display |
| Colorado | ___ | ___ | unknown |
| Connecticut | ___ | ___ | destroyed |
| Delaware | Seaford | American Legion Post 6 | display |
| Florida | Holly Hill | Holly Hill Municipal Building | display |
| Georgia | Kennesaw | Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History | museum |
| Hawaii | Ewa Beach | Hawaiian Railway Society | display |
| Idaho | Boise | Old Idaho State Penitentiary museum | museum |
| Illinois | ___ | ___ | unknown |
| Indiana | Fort Wayne | Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum | display |
| Iowa | Cedar Falls | Antique Acres farm park | display |
| Kansas | Hays | Veterans Memorial Park | display |
| Kentucky | New Haven | Kentucky Railway Museum | museum |
| Louisiana | Baton Rouge | Old State Capital | display |
| Maine | Boothbay | Boothbay Railway Village Museum | museum |
| Maryland | Baltimore | Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum | museum |
| Massachusetts | ___ | ___ | destroyed |
| Michigan | Lansing | American Legion Post 183 | display |
| Minnesota | Little Falls | Minnesota Military Museum | museum |
| Mississippi | Jackson | old Gulf Mobile & Ohio station | display |
| Missouri | Sedalia | Missouri State Fairgrounds | display |
| Montana | Fort Harrison | Montana Military Museum | display |
| Nebraska | ___ | ___ | destroyed |
| Nevada | Boulder City | Nevada State Railroad Museum | display |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | 126 Reed Street | display |
| New Jersey | Kansas City, MO | stored | |
| New Mexico | Albuquerque | Expo New Mexico | display |
| New York | Whitesboro | Forty and Eight Voiture 92 | display |
| North Carolina | Spencer | North Carolina Transportation Museum | museum |
| North Dakota | Bismark | North Dakota Heritage Center | display |
| Ohio | Port Clinton | Camp Perry | display |
| Oklahoma | Norman | J. D. McCarty Center | display |
| Oregon | North Bend | Simpson Park | display |
| Pennsylvania | Fort Indiantown Gap | National Guard training installation | display |
| Rhode Island | Woonsocket | Museum of Work and Culture | museum |
| South Carolina | Bishopville | Downtown Memorial Park | display |
| South Dakota | Huron | Dakotaland Museum | display |
| Tennessee | Bristol | American Legion Post 145 | display |
| Texas | Camp Mabry | Texas Military Forces Museum | display |
| Utah | Ogden | Utah State Railroad Museum | display |
| Vermont | Colchester | Vermont National Guard Museum | museum |
| Virginia | Newport News | Virginia War Museum | museum |
| Washington | Yakima | Sarg Hubbard Riverside Park | display |
| West Virginia | Welch | Veterans' Park | display |
| Wisconsin | Ashwaubenon | National Railroad Museum | display |
| Wyoming | Cheyenne | American Legion Post 6 | display |
states listed in orange above are featured in our scrapbook below.
| 49 | 44 | 12 | 27% |
| originals | preserved | visited | recorded |
Jul 2025 / RWH
fter the war, efforts were made by the American people to assist areas of Europe that had been reduced to ruins. A Washington Post newspaper columnist, Drew Pearson, began a grassroots effort to gather supplies for the war-ravaged areas in 1947. Americans responded with fervor and the aptly named "American Friendship Train" with $40 million dollars in supplies filling 700 cars was sent to Europe. A French rail worker and World War II veteran, Andre Picard was so touched by this gesture the he suggested France reciprocate. A French veteran's organization quickly embraced his idea and developed a committee to collect the gifts. A search was conducted to commandeer boxcars from rail yards and depots throughout France to restore them in preparation for their journey. Over 52,000 gifts totaling 250 tons were collected to fill 49 boxcars bound for all the states in 2 the U.S. including one car to be shared by the District of Columbia and the territory of Hawaii. Items aboard these cars included everything from a jeweled Legion d'Pionneer medal presented to Napolen, a Louis XV carriage and one of the first motorcycles ever built. One of the more touching gifts was as an eleven year olds stuffed toy dog named LouLou on which she attached a note,
It seems that I was one year old when Meme offered it to me for my father who was a prisoner in Germany. I love Loulou very much, but I offer it to you in gratitude for all that the Americans have done for my country ... I thought I would keep it all my life, so it is with sorrow that I embrace Loulou for the last time.
The boxcars arrived in New York harbor on February 3, 1949 aboard the freighter Magellan bearing an enormous banner reading “MERCI AMERICA.” The cars were split into three groups and loaded aboard flatcars destined for each state in the union. Upon arrival, it was the job of each state government to display its car and distribute its gifts. Today the remaining forty-six Merci cars are scattered throughout the nation, in parks, museums, American Legion posts, and fairgrounds.
Ava Wilkey / The Forty and Eight Merci Boxcar: A Gift to our Greatest Generation
Clippings
from LIFE Magazine - Feb 1949 / collection
from American Heritage magazine - Oct 1981 / collection
Alabama
Merci Boxcar #J57958
Huntsville, Al / Aug 2025 / RWH
Alabama's Merci Boxcar is displayed indoors at the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum in Huntsville. Gifts sent from France in the car are held at the Alabama State Archives. After arrival in Montgomery in 1947, the car was given to the American Legion Post 237 in Huntsville. Moved several times over the years, the boxcar's appearance was eventually altered and it fell into disrepair from exposure to the elements. In 1985, it was rescued and relocated to the Huntsville Historic Depot and Museum and completely restored. Unable to store the renovated car indoors, it was moved to the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum in 2000 for preservation. Currently the boxcar anchors a variety of exhibits related to World War I.
Click to see the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum plotted on a Google Maps page
Huntsville, Al / Aug 2025 / RWH
Huntsville, Al / Aug 2025 / RWH
Huntsville, Al / Aug 2025 / RWH
Huntsville, Al / Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Huntsville, Al / Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Aug 2025 / RWH
Huntsville, Al / Aug 2025 / RWH
Huntsville, Al / Aug 2025 / RWH
Check out U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum to read more about the Alabama Merci Boxcar
Georgia
Merci Boxcar #K138008
Kennesaw, Ga / Jun 2019 / RWH
Georgia's Merci Boxcar is displayed indoors at the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History in Kennesaw. Gifts sent from France in the car are held at the Georgia State Archives.
Jun 2019 / RWH
In gratitude, the people of France presented this Merci Boxcar loaded with gifts to the State of Georgia, February 11, 1949. This boxcar and others were used to transport soldiers and horses to and from the fighting fronts during WWI and soldiers during WWII.
Merci Boxcar plaque
Kennesaw, Ga / Jun 2019 / RWH
Kennesaw, Ga / Jun 2019 / RWH
See also our complete Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History scrapbook in Preservation
Kansas
Merci Boxcar #J54716
Hays, Ks / Aug 2025 / ETH
Kansas' Merci Boxcar is displayed outdoors at the Veterans Memorial Park in Hays, northwest of Wichita. The car is owned and maintained by the Hi Plains Voiture 1543 of Ellis County.
Click to see the Veterans Memorial Park plotted on a Google Maps page
Hays, Ks / Aug 2025 / ETH
Hays, Ks / Aug 2025 / ETH
Hays, Ks / Aug 2025 / ETH
Hays, Ks / Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Hays, Ks / Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Hays, Ks / Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Hays, Ks / Aug 2025 / ETH
Louisiana
Merci Boxcar #J58092
Baton Rouge, La / Nov 2025 / RWH
Louisiana's Merci Boxcar is displayed outdoors under a pavilion on the grounds of the Old State Capital Museum in Baton Rouge, just blocks from the Mississippi River. The Gothic Revival building was constructed in 1852 and served as the state capital until 1932. The whereabouts of the original gifts sent in the Louisiana boxcar are unknown.
Click to see Louisiana's Old State Capitol plotted on a Google Maps page
Baton Rouge, La / Nov 2025 / RWH
Baton Rouge, La / Nov 2025 / RWH
Baton Rouge, La / Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
Baton Rouge, La / Nov 2025 / RWH
Baton Rouge, La / Nov 2025 / RWH
Baton Rouge, La / Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
Baton Rouge, La / Nov 2025 / RWH
postcard / collection
Baton Rouge, La / Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
postcard / collection
Nov 2025 / RWH
Nov 2025 / RWH
postcard / collection
Baton Rouge, La / Nov 2025 / RWH
Maryland
Merci Boxcar #J57121
Baltimore, Md / collection
Maryland's Merci Boxcar is displayed indoors at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore. Gifts sent from France in the car are held by the Montgomery County Historical Society.
Baltimore, Md / Dec 2024 / RWH
Dec 2024 / RWH
Baltimore, Md / Dec 2024 / RWH
Baltimore, Md / Dec 2024 / RWH
See also our complete Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum featured scrapbook in Preservation
Mississippi
Merci Boxcar #K128854
Jackson, Ms / Dec 2025 / RWH
Mississippi's Merci Boxcar is displayed outdoors at the former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio railroad station in downtown Jackson. The building is currently home to the Mississippi Main Street Association, but once served as the stop in the state capital for GM&O trains such as the Rebel. The boxcar sits parallel to a section of the former mainline. The Museum of Mississippi History has a collection of French gifts from this boxcar.
Click to see the Mississippi Merci boxcar display plotted on a Google Maps page
Jackson, Ms / Dec 2025 / RWH
Dec 2025 / RWH
Dec 2025 / RWH
Jackson, Ms / Dec 2025 / RWH
Jackson, Ms / Dec 2025 / RWH
Jackson, Ms / Dec 2025 / RWH
Jackson, Ms / Dec 2025 / RWH
Dec 2025 / RWH
Dec 2025 / RWH
Dec 2025 / RWH
Jackson, Ms / Dec 2025 / RWH
Jackson, Ms / Dec 2025 / RWH
Dec 2025 / RWH
See also our complete Gulf Mobile & Ohio featured Fallen Flag scrapbook in Mainlines
Missouri
Merci Boxcar #J57901
Sedalia, Mo / Aug 2025 / ETH
Missouri's Merci Boxcar is displayed outdoors at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, home of the Missouri State Fair. The car is owned and maintained by Forty and Eight Voiture 333 of Pettis County. Gifts sent from France in this car are held at the Pettis County Historical Society.
Click to see the Missouri State Fairgrounds plotted on a Google Maps page
Sedalia, Mo / Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Sedalia, Mo / Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Sedalia, Mo / Aug 2025 / ETH
Sedalia, Mo / Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Sedalia, Mo / Aug 2025 / ETH
Aug 2025 / ETH
Sedalia, Mo / Aug 2025 / ETH
North Carolina
Merci Boxcar #J54906
Spencer, NC / Apr 2025 / RWH
North Carolina's Merci Boxcar is displayed indoors at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer. Gifts sent from France in the car are held at the North Carolina History Museum.
Spencer, NC / Apr 2025 / RWH
Apr 2025 / RWH
Apr 2025 / RWH
Spencer, NC / Apr 2025 / RWH
Apr 2025 / RWH
Spencer, NC / Apr 2025 / RWH
Apr 2025 / RWH
Spencer, NC / Apr 2025 / RWH
Spencer, NC / Apr 2025 / RWH
Apr 2025 / RWH
See also our complete North Carolina Transportation Museum featured scrapbook in Preservation
Pennsylvania
Merci Boxcar #15/4U
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Pennsylvania's Merci Boxcar is displayed outdoors in excellent condition at Fort Indiantown Gap, a large National Guard training installation. The car is preserved under a pavilion where Clement Avenue meets Fisher Avenue, just north of the Fort Indiantown Gap Main Gate off of Interstate 81. Gifts sent from France in the car are held at the Blair County and Lycoming County historical societies.
Click to see the Fort Indiantown Gap display plotted on a Google Maps page
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
South Carolina
Merci Boxcar #J-54897
Bishopville, SC / Jul 2025 / RWH
South Carolina's Merci Boxcar is displayed outdoors in downtown Bishopville, northeast of Columbia. The car's interior is open to the public and includes a variety of photographic displays.
Click to see the downtown Bishopville display plotted on a Google Maps page
Bishopville, SC / Jul 2025 / RWH
Bishopville, SC / Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Bishopville, SC / Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Bishopville, SC / Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Bishopville, SC / Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Jul 2025 / RWH
Bishopville, SC / Jul 2025 / RWH
Bishopville, SC / Jul 2025 / RWH
Bishopville, SC / Jul 2025 / RWH
Bishopville, SC / Jul 2025 / RWH
Tennessee
Merci Boxcar
Bristol, Tn / May 2025 / ETH
Tennessee's Merci Boxcar is displayed outdoors at American Legion Post 145 in Bristol. The car's railway undercarriage has been removed and rubber road tires have been added for use in parades, etc. Gifts sent from France in the car are held at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.
Click to see the American Legion Post 145 plotted on a Google Maps page
Bristol, Tn / May 2025 / ETH
Bristol, Tn / May 2025 / ETH
May 2025 / ETH
May 2025 / ETH
May 2025 / ETH
West Virginia
Merci Boxcar #K-134986
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
West Virginia's Merci Boxcar is displayed outdoors in a small park dedicated to United States veterans, located in Welch, northwest of Bluefield. A collection of gifts originally included in the West Virginia car is held at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park in Mason, West Virginia.
Click to see the Welch Veterans Park plotted on a Google Maps page
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Oct 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Oct 2025 / RWH
Oct 2025 / RWH
Oct 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Oct 2025 / RWH
Oct 2025 / RWH
Oct 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Snapshots
Baltimore, Md / Dec 2024 / RWH
Bristol, Tn / May 2025 / ETH
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa / Jul 2025 / RWH
Huntsville, Al / Aug 2025 / RWH
Bishopville, SC / Jul 2025 / RWH
Baton Rouge, La / Nov 2025 / RWH
Welch, WV / Oct 2025 / RWH
Links / Sources
- MerciTrain.org website
- Wikipedia article for Merci Train
- Historical Marker Database Merci Train markers
- The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses website
- The Merci Train: Remembering the World Wars in 52,000 Objects by Ludivine Broch